Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. My comments are directed to Mr. Kennedy. The situation which could obtain and which Airlines for America is fearful of is shocking. Most people would be taken aback to hear this could happen. We take air travel for granted to a great extent in the western world. It just confirms the notion that there is nothing good about Brexit, even for the British who are landing themselves in a backward position. Everything seems to be going backward. It has been suggested that they are going back to the old empire, which hardly represents progress.

Mr. Kennedy has set out his case and concerns. What engagement has he had with our negotiators here, including the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, and other personnel? What level of response has there been in terms of where this lies in the pecking order? Significantly, Mr. Kennedy points out that timing is important and things will need to be clear by March next year if airlines are to sell tickets. It is not like this can go to the end of the process. It is a cliffhanger situation a year earlier than in other business sectors. What is being said at European Commission level? It sounds shocking, but then again this is so critical for the UK and Europe that common sense might prevail and something will be sorted out notwithstanding the current posturing, frayed nerves and high emotions. One imagines that this should be looked after in normal business.